title: A theory-based video messaging mobile phone intervention for smoking cessation: randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Advances in technology allowed the development of a novel smoking cessation program delivered by video messages sent to mobile phones. This social cognitive theory-based intervention (called "STUB IT") used observational learning via short video diary messages from role models going through the quitting process to teach behavioral change techniques.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of our study was to assess the effectiveness of a multimedia mobile phone intervention for smoking cessation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 6-month follow-up. Participants had to be 16 years of age or over, be current daily smokers, be ready to quit, and have a video message-capable phone. Recruitment targeted younger adults predominantly through radio and online advertising. Registration and data collection were completed online, prompted by text messages. The intervention group received an automated package of video and text messages over 6 months that was tailored to self-selected quit date, role model, and timing of messages. Extra messages were available on demand to beat cravings and address lapses. The control group also set a quit date and received a general health video message sent to their phone every 2 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The target sample size was not achieved due to difficulty recruiting young adult quitters. Of the 226 randomized participants, 47% (107/226) were female and 24% (54/226) were Maori (indigenous population of New Zealand). Their mean age was 27 years (SD 8.7), and there was a high level of nicotine addiction. Continuous abstinence at 6 months was 26.4% (29/110) in the intervention group and 27.6% (32/116) in the control group (P = .8). Feedback from participants indicated that the support provided by the video role models was important and appreciated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study was not able to demonstrate a statistically significant effect of the complex video messaging mobile phone intervention compared with simple general health video messages via mobile phone. However, there was sufficient positive feedback about the ease of use of this novel intervention, and the support obtained by observing the role model video messages, to warrant further investigation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Number: ACTRN12606000476538; http://www.anzctr.org.au/trial_view.aspx?ID=81688 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5umMU4sZi).
authors.affiliation: Clinical Trials Research Unit, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. r.whittaker@ctru.auckland.ac.nz
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Whittaker
authors.forename: Enid
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dorey
authors.forename: Dale
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bramley
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bullen
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Denny
authors.forename: C Raina
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Elley
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maddison
authors.forename: Hayden
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: McRobbie
authors.forename: Varsha
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Parag
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodgers
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Salmon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D040421:Cell Phone; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014743:Videotape Recording; D055815:Young Adult